PHOTO: Two NFL Teams STUN Crowd With Unexpected Gesture After National Anthem

There has been much discussion over the past month regarding NFL players making political statements ahead of football games by refusing to stand for a solemn moment of honor for the American flag and national anthem.

Whether the players have good intentions or not, their gestures have caused consternation among many fans, which in turn has compelled some players and teams to find less divisive means of putting forward a message of peace and unity.

Enter the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints, who faced off this week on Monday Night Football and decided to work together to make their own gesture of goodwill toward fans and the rest of the country, according to Fox News.

Upon completion of the national anthem before the game, coaches, players and staff from both squads all joined hands or locked arms together in the middle of the field in a gesture meant to show both solidarity with those protesting perceived injustice and togetherness for those who are not. The reaction from the crowd in the stadium proved the fans absolutely loved it.

The idea was formulated by coaches Sean Payton of the Saints and Dan Quinn of the Falcons, and many of their players were more than happy to take part in the stunning gesture.

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“We want it to be all, everybody, because that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to bring everybody together,” said Saints running back Mark Ingram. “Our nation needs to come together. Everybody needs to care for each other.

“And that’s what’s so good about sports. It brings everybody together, no matter what race. These are my brothers in here. Guys I played with in the past, those are my brothers. You don’t see color. You just see a guy who you work hard with and go to battle with and work with every single day,” he continued.

“I understand that there’s differences when you go out to the real world, so we just want to set an example, and we want to bring unity,” Ingram added. “We want everybody to be together and don’t want to do anything that causes division or controversy.”

Hopefully this idea catches on or sparks other players and teams can find a way to make a gesture that is truly inclusive of everyone, and not a divisive or controversial move that panders to one group while alienating others.

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